Three weeks after an Iranian journalist was stabbed in London, Reporters Without Borders published a report on Wednesday April 17 on the situation of other Persian-speaking reporters in the United Kingdom.
1 min
With our correspondent in London, Émeline Vin
Threats, harassment, online or physical: the dozens of Persian-speaking journalists in London are no longer free to report, explains Fiona O’Brien, UK director of Reporters Without Borders.
“ Cyberattacks have increased exponentially. Nearly 90% of journalists surveyed say they have suffered threats or harassment online over the past five years. The harassment of their families in Iran continues on a very large scale. The impact on journalism is enormous: journalists say they self-censor or even leave the profession. »
As for the perpetrators, the NGO is not only targeting the Iranian state. “ The Iranian government and its proxies are the main actors, but they are not the only ones. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in harassment from opposition groups and the Iranian diaspora, who accuse journalists abroad of sympathy for the regime. »
Example of repression, the stabbing attack from an Iranian journalist, in London three weeks ago. Adam Baillie, from the Iran International channel based in the British capital. “ The attack on Pouria [Zerati] was not unexpected, due to the level of threats we face. It could have been worse, sure, he could have been killed, but we really see it as a warning. »
RSF calls on London to better protect foreign journalists on its soil. But emphasizes that all Western countries are concerned.